Shark shoot

Rather than shooting images of the animals at the surface like most photographers do, Mike and his crew decide to shoot them in their natural hunting grounds … more than 60 feet below the ocean's surface.9601280

Rather than shooting images of the animals at the surface like most photographers do, Mike and his crew decide to shoot them in their natural hunting grounds … more than 60 feet below the ocean's surface.

Shark shoot

Shark shoot

Mike and his team take Hollywood studio-style lighting equipment 60 feet underwater to photograph the powerful creatures. In all, 3,600 watts of electricity are pumped through waterproof cables that Mike and his crew dive with. The guys must be extremely careful not to get tangled in the cords -- cutting yourself out of them would mean electrocution.9601280

Mike and his team take Hollywood studio-style lighting equipment 60 feet underwater to photograph the powerful creatures. In all, 3,600 watts of electricity are pumped through waterproof cables that Mike and his crew dive with. The guys must be extremely careful not to get tangled in the cords -- cutting yourself out of them would mean electrocution.

Lemon shark

Lemon shark

A lemon shark. It might look menacing, but since 1580 there have only been 22 recorded lemon shark attacks, and none of them were fatal.9601280

A lemon shark. It might look menacing, but since 1580 there have only been 22 recorded lemon shark attacks, and none of them were fatal.

Shark shoot

Shark shoot

Mike Muller gets up-close and personal with the ocean’s most feared creatures.9601280

Mike Muller gets up-close and personal with the ocean’s most feared creatures.

Bull shark

Bull shark

Bull sharks have the highest testosterone level of any animal on the planet, and can survive in fresh water. They have been seen swimming up the Amazon River and leaping up river rapids in Nicaragua, attempting to reach Lake Nicaragua.9601280

Bull sharks have the highest testosterone level of any animal on the planet, and can survive in fresh water. They have been seen swimming up the Amazon River and leaping up river rapids in Nicaragua, attempting to reach Lake Nicaragua.

Bull sharks

Bull sharks

On a single dive, Mike and his crew encountered upwards of 30 bull sharks.9601280

On a single dive, Mike and his crew encountered upwards of 30 bull sharks.

Bull shark

Bull shark

Along with great whites and tiger sharks, bull sharks are considered some of the most dangerous sharks to humans. Bull sharks are often found in shallow, warm waters … the same waters that beachgoers swim in.9601280

Along with great whites and tiger sharks, bull sharks are considered some of the most dangerous sharks to humans. Bull sharks are often found in shallow, warm waters … the same waters that beachgoers swim in.

Shark shoot

Shark shoot

The plastic housing to keep Mike’s camera from getting wet at 60 feet below the water’s surface cost upwards of $12,000. Mike got so close to the sharks that one swam right into his lens.9601280

The plastic housing to keep Mike’s camera from getting wet at 60 feet below the water’s surface cost upwards of $12,000. Mike got so close to the sharks that one swam right into his lens.

Lemon shark

Lemon shark

A lemon shark, 1 of the 8 shark species that Mike photographed in the Beqa Lagoon. He also got photos of the whitetip, tawny nurse, silvertip, grey reef, blacktip, bull and tiger sharks.9601280

A lemon shark, 1 of the 8 shark species that Mike photographed in the Beqa Lagoon. He also got photos of the whitetip, tawny nurse, silvertip, grey reef, blacktip, bull and tiger sharks.

Mike shoots a tiger shark

Mike shoots a tiger shark

On his last day in Fiji, Mike goes for a quick dive and finally spots a tiger shark.9601280

On his last day in Fiji, Mike goes for a quick dive and finally spots a tiger shark.

Tiger shark

Tiger shark

Tiger sharks are nicknamed the "wastebaskets of the sea," because they eat anything and everything. Stingrays, seals, birds and even license plates have been found in the stomachs of captured tiger sharks. While tiger sharks are the second most likely species (after great whites) to attack humans, they are unlikely to swim away after one bite. 9601280

Tiger sharks are nicknamed the "wastebaskets of the sea," because they eat anything and everything. Stingrays, seals, birds and even license plates have been found in the stomachs of captured tiger sharks. While tiger sharks are the second most likely species (after great whites) to attack humans, they are unlikely to swim away after one bite.

Shark shoot

Shark shoot

At the end of his Fiji trip, Mike concludes that the real underwater risk is scuba diving (because of the unreliability of oxygen tanks), not the sharks. They might look menacing, but none of them bothered Mike or his crew during the photo shoots … even when the crew was flashing strobe lights in their faces.9601280

At the end of his Fiji trip, Mike concludes that the real underwater risk is scuba diving (because of the unreliability of oxygen tanks), not the sharks. They might look menacing, but none of them bothered Mike or his crew during the photo shoots … even when the crew was flashing strobe lights in their faces.

Photos

Yosemite National Park, California

The setting sun illuminates El Capitan monolith in frozen Yosemite National Park. A favorite for advanced rock climbers, "The Chief" is the world's largest solid granite block, rising an awe-inspiring 3,500 feet above the ground.9601280

The setting sun illuminates El Capitan monolith in frozen Yosemite National Park. A favorite for advanced rock climbers, "The Chief" is the world's largest solid granite block, rising an awe-inspiring 3,500 feet above the ground.

Getty

Multnomah Falls, Oregon

Multnomah Falls, Oregon

After an ice storm, freezing cold water continues to plummet an impressive 620 feet into the Columbia River. Visitors can take in the spectacular view from the Benson Bridge, built in 1914 for scenes like this one.9601280

After an ice storm, freezing cold water continues to plummet an impressive 620 feet into the Columbia River. Visitors can take in the spectacular view from the Benson Bridge, built in 1914 for scenes like this one.

Getty

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Snow coats the ground around the Belgian Pool, a hot spring in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park. You can look, but don't get too close! Originally named Oyster Spring, the natural wonder was renamed after a Belgian visitor who fell into it in 1929 and suffered fatal thermal burns.9601280

Snow coats the ground around the Belgian Pool, a hot spring in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park. You can look, but don't get too close! Originally named Oyster Spring, the natural wonder was renamed after a Belgian visitor who fell into it in 1929 and suffered fatal thermal burns.

Getty

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

A snowy shot of Bryce Canyon's hoodoos, tall rock structures that form from water, wind and ice erosion.9601280

A snowy shot of Bryce Canyon's hoodoos, tall rock structures that form from water, wind and ice erosion.

Getty

St. Joseph Lighthouses, Michigan

St. Joseph Lighthouses, Michigan

The St. Joseph Lighthouses attempt to withstand the elements on frozen Lake Michigan. The 2 lighthouses were built in the early 1900s, and the outer light is one of the oldest on the lake. 9601280

The St. Joseph Lighthouses attempt to withstand the elements on frozen Lake Michigan. The 2 lighthouses were built in the early 1900s, and the outer light is one of the oldest on the lake.

Getty

Coyote Buttes, Arizona

Coyote Buttes, Arizona

Jack Frost puts an icy touch on "The Wave," an incredible sandstone rock formation in Coyote Buttes North, a section of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. In order to preserve the spectacular sight, only 20 hikers (with permits) per day are allowed to visit.9601280

Jack Frost puts an icy touch on "The Wave," an incredible sandstone rock formation in Coyote Buttes North, a section of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. In order to preserve the spectacular sight, only 20 hikers (with permits) per day are allowed to visit.

Aleutian Islands, Alaska

Clean waves and a clear day are in place in the Aleutian Islands, also known as the "Cradle of Storms". Surfer Alex Gray lets his fins loose on this wave along the coastline. Find out more about Chris Burkard's adventures in our Q&A interview and get his photography tips, best beach picks and more.9601280

Clean waves and a clear day are in place in the Aleutian Islands, also known as the "Cradle of Storms". Surfer Alex Gray lets his fins loose on this wave along the coastline. Find out more about Chris Burkard's adventures in our Q&A interview and get his photography tips, best beach picks and more.

Chris Burkard

Homer, Alaska

Homer, Alaska

Surfer Keith Malloy finds solitude up north near Homer, AK, where he enjoys the entire coastline to himself to prepare to surf.9601280

Surfer Keith Malloy finds solitude up north near Homer, AK, where he enjoys the entire coastline to himself to prepare to surf.

Chris Burkard

Big Sur, California

Big Sur, California

This photo of Big Sur showcases its cold beauty on an unexpected snowy day not far from home.9601280

This photo of Big Sur showcases its cold beauty on an unexpected snowy day not far from home.

Chris Burkard

Big Sur Stargazing

Big Sur Stargazing

High above the clouds in Big Sur, CA, is one of the most magical places to camp and gaze at the stars.9601280

High above the clouds in Big Sur, CA, is one of the most magical places to camp and gaze at the stars.

Chris Burkard

Art in Motion

Art in Motion

Big Sur is a place where people -- like surfer Crystal Thornburg -- journey to find peace. It's the only word to describe her elegant dance down the line.9601280

Big Sur is a place where people -- like surfer Crystal Thornburg -- journey to find peace. It's the only word to describe her elegant dance down the line.

Chris Burkard

Guadalupe Dunes

Guadalupe Dunes

The Central Coast of California offers a variety of amazing landscapes. Two surfers trek through steep sand dunes along the coast in search of waves.9601280

The Central Coast of California offers a variety of amazing landscapes. Two surfers trek through steep sand dunes along the coast in search of waves.

Chris Burkard

Caribbean Colors

Caribbean Colors

From the turquoise waters to the vivid sunsets, the colors in the Caribbean fully bloom at sunset.9601280

From the turquoise waters to the vivid sunsets, the colors in the Caribbean fully bloom at sunset.

Chris Burkard

Caribbean Surf

Caribbean Surf

Our efforts paid off traveling to the Caribbean to surf undiscovered waves. Here, is a glimpse into the view each surfer had countless times while on the trip.9601280

Our efforts paid off traveling to the Caribbean to surf undiscovered waves. Here, is a glimpse into the view each surfer had countless times while on the trip.

Chris Burkard

Jökulsárlón Beach

Jökulsárlón Beach

There are very few places in the world where you can find ice on the shores of a beach. On the way to the water, we walked around huge glacial ice chunks. There was no question that this was going to be the coldest photo session of the trip.9601280

There are very few places in the world where you can find ice on the shores of a beach. On the way to the water, we walked around huge glacial ice chunks. There was no question that this was going to be the coldest photo session of the trip.

Chris Burkard

Iceland Surf Trek

Iceland Surf Trek

Surfer Phillip Gold watches his step along snowy rocks en route to a chilly point break.9601280

Surfer Phillip Gold watches his step along snowy rocks en route to a chilly point break.

Chris Burkhard

Camping (Vik, Iceland)

Camping (Vik, Iceland)

We chased the sunset as we made our way back up the cliffs over Vik. We hadn't seen sun the entire trip, and moments after setting up camp we caught of glimpse of it before it dropped behind the mountains in the distance.9601280

We chased the sunset as we made our way back up the cliffs over Vik. We hadn't seen sun the entire trip, and moments after setting up camp we caught of glimpse of it before it dropped behind the mountains in the distance.

Chris Burkard

Godafoss Waterfall (Iceland)

Godafoss Waterfall (Iceland)

A hiker explores the stunning Godafoss waterfall, located off a beaten path in north-central Iceland at the beginning of the Sprengisandur highland road.9601280

A hiker explores the stunning Godafoss waterfall, located off a beaten path in north-central Iceland at the beginning of the Sprengisandur highland road.

Chris Burkard

Jökulsárlón Lake (Iceland)

Jökulsárlón Lake (Iceland)

Ice chunks drift from nearby Jökulsárlón Lake and scatter the beach on the edge of Vatnajökull National Park. Apparently, they make nice ice recliners.9601280

Ice chunks drift from nearby Jökulsárlón Lake and scatter the beach on the edge of Vatnajökull National Park. Apparently, they make nice ice recliners.

Chris Burkard

Picture Perfect Iceland

Picture Perfect Iceland

As the weather shifts in the southern tip of Iceland, the clouds part to give way to a perfect rainbow.9601280

As the weather shifts in the southern tip of Iceland, the clouds part to give way to a perfect rainbow.

Chris Burkard

Lofoten Islands, Norway

Lofoten Islands, Norway

As the sun fades away and the Arctic begins to turn dark and cold, Dane Gudauskas finds enough warmth to take flight in Lofoten -- an archipelago and traditional district in the county of Nordland, Norway.9601280

As the sun fades away and the Arctic begins to turn dark and cold, Dane Gudauskas finds enough warmth to take flight in Lofoten -- an archipelago and traditional district in the county of Nordland, Norway.

Chris Burkard

Arctic Barrel on Lofoten Coast

Arctic Barrel on Lofoten Coast

With air temperatures just as cold as the water, Sam Hammer hopes to be found somewhere in between as he pulls into another arctic barrel.9601280

With air temperatures just as cold as the water, Sam Hammer hopes to be found somewhere in between as he pulls into another arctic barrel.

Chris Burkard

Reine, Norway

Reine, Norway

A man looks across the bay at the dynamic city of Reine in Norway.9601280

A man looks across the bay at the dynamic city of Reine in Norway.

Chris Burkard

Norway's Northern Lights

Norway's Northern Lights

With the reflection of the dropping tide below and the bursts of Northern Lights above, this scene in Norway was as close as you could get to a natural light show. It seemed that the greens of the Northern Lights were reflecting off everything in sight.9601280

With the reflection of the dropping tide below and the bursts of Northern Lights above, this scene in Norway was as close as you could get to a natural light show. It seemed that the greens of the Northern Lights were reflecting off everything in sight.

Chris Burkard

South Falls (Oregon)

South Falls (Oregon)

The largest state park in Oregon, Silver Creek Falls has a series of waterfalls that are accessed by the Trail of 10 Falls hiking trail.9601280

The largest state park in Oregon, Silver Creek Falls has a series of waterfalls that are accessed by the Trail of 10 Falls hiking trail.

Chris Burkard

Oregon Coastline (near Florence)

Oregon Coastline (near Florence)

Oregon impresses visitors with its dynamic coastline and sheer cliffs. One of many gorgeous views along Oregon's coastal Highway 101, this beautiful headland is located near the famous Sea Lion Caves and Heceta Head Lighthouse.9601280

Oregon impresses visitors with its dynamic coastline and sheer cliffs. One of many gorgeous views along Oregon's coastal Highway 101, this beautiful headland is located near the famous Sea Lion Caves and Heceta Head Lighthouse.

Chris Burkard

Hanging in Smith Rock State Park (Oregon)

Hanging in Smith Rock State Park (Oregon)

A climber in Oregon's Smith Rock State Park hangs on tight as he inches his way up a tough route.9601280

A climber in Oregon's Smith Rock State Park hangs on tight as he inches his way up a tough route.

Chris Burkard

Off-Road Route (Jackson Hole, WY)

Off-Road Route (Jackson Hole, WY)

This inviting road awaits the next off-roader near the Teton Range in Jackson Hole, WY.9601280

This inviting road awaits the next off-roader near the Teton Range in Jackson Hole, WY.

Chris Burkard

Mount Moran (Wyoming)

Mount Moran (Wyoming)

With the Snake River in the foreground, this picture captures the majestic Mount Moran located in Grand Teton National Park.9601280

With the Snake River in the foreground, this picture captures the majestic Mount Moran located in Grand Teton National Park.

Chris Burkard

Yosemite Valley (California)

Yosemite Valley (California)

Yosemite Valley awakens to another sunny day. Snow-capped Half Dome is one of the most majestic rock formations in Yosemite National Park.9601280

Yosemite Valley awakens to another sunny day. Snow-capped Half Dome is one of the most majestic rock formations in Yosemite National Park.

Chris Burkard

The Grandeur of Yosemite

The Grandeur of Yosemite

A hiker basks in the early morning light on a hike up Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park. Want more photos? Visit Chris' website, Chris Burkard Photography, to see more eye-catching photography.9601280

A hiker basks in the early morning light on a hike up Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park. Want more photos? Visit Chris' website, Chris Burkard Photography, to see more eye-catching photography.